Chapter 28

All evening after returning from the Seraphim, I recounted the main points of our "conversation" to Lute. I told her about how conceptual magic works for demons, about the reasons for the Seraphim's reluctance to train angels, and, of course, about the shocking revelation regarding Eve. My dear lieutenant listened attentively, but her reaction was quite… "active." She practically pounced on me (a pity not in the literal sense of the word), demanding details, clarifications, expressing concern and some strange anger. She would frown, then shake her head incredulously, and sometimes even lightly poke me with her finger in the ribs or cheek when she thought I was holding something back or trying to downplay the danger. It was a little irritating, but her concern was understandable. The person you love (or rather, "angel") first loses their memory, then starts behaving extremely strangely, studies forbidden knowledge, and then goes to the highest authority in Heaven, practically threatening them and gathering a squad of sniper-exorcists behind their back in case the "gods" turn out to be wrong. And it would have been one thing if she'd confronted me about all this back when I asked her to gather the girls. But no! First, she helped without question, risked her reputation and life, and only then, in the relatively calm domestic setting, did she subject me to this third degree. And yes, tickling doesn't work on me anymore either, unlike in my past life. Funny.

However, her "interrogation" didn't last long. We discussed the meeting with the Seraphim itself for a couple of hours, then its results and my conjectures about their true motives. When I told her about Eve – that she's alive, that she's somewhere in Hell, and that she's incredibly powerful – Lute's face contorted with some icy hatred and, it seemed, fear. Is she jealous of me with the First Woman, or does she just hate Eve herself as an entity of Darkness? I'm not going to ask, of course – I'll be safer that way.

After this tense conversation, we decided to lighten the mood a bit and spent the rest of the evening together, watching some old earthly comedy… American… Mr. Bean (If you know, you know), I think? Surprisingly, even such primitive comedy helped to distract a little.

By the way, about the oddities of Heaven and its inhabitants. Recently, rumors reached me from the general exorcist chat, which I occasionally browse. So, a real "Boom" of discussions happened there. It turned out that some "acquaintance of an acquaintance" of one of the girls creates various kitchen utensils to order. And recently, Lute visited her with a rather unusual request – to create a frying pan for her… out of angelic metal! A frying pan! I still get shivers down my spine at the thought. Why would she need a frying pan made of material that could harm even a seraph? So her fried eggs wouldn't burn? Well, yes, and as I was later whispered, the girls already suspected that Lute and I weren't just "commander and lieutenant," but this specific moment with the frying pan order finally convinced them that we were "together," 100%. I don't know why exactly the frying pan became such proof for them. Female logic is a darker mystery to me than my past. I'll have to ask Lute about this frying pan sometime... if I gather the courage.

After a light dinner (which I swallowed without even thinking), we crashed into bed. But thoughts about everything that had happened wouldn't leave me for a long time. Well, let's say I can believe the Seraphim's words about the reasons for concealing knowledge about concepts for now (though doubts still remained). But this absolutely doesn't solve the problem with Eve and the very nature of Darkness in Hell! The "forcible" redemption of sinners, which I was going to undertake – that's cool and right, of course. But, as Sera rightly noted during our conversation, the Darkness that fills Hell is not just energy; it possesses some pseudo-intelligence, a will. And it Reacts Especially Aggressively to Strong Light, Like that radiated by the seraphim, Immediatly trying to Absorb it, to capture the wielder. Why then does Lucifer, also a being of Light by nature, albeit fallen, feel normal in Hell? Fuck knows! As usual, no one explains anything properly to me, and the Seraphim, it seems, have never even thought about this question. And these beings are at least 12,000 years old… Fucking heavenly kindergarten, honest to God.

At this point, I understood that I could do nothing either about Eve (where to look for her and how to fight her – completely unclear) or about the Darkness itself that permeated Hell. Even if I can emit a huge amount of Light, it's not even close to the a_b_s_o_l_u_t_e level of Darkness that has accumulated in the seven circles of Hell over millennia. With my Light, I wouldn't even be able to completely cleanse some small district of the Pride ring for long, let alone the deeper and more extensive circles. Then how am I supposed to solve the global problem of Hell? No, simply redeeming individual sinners won't help here. That's a solution to the problem of overpopulation and exterminations, but not to the influence of Darkness itself and its possible further expansion or aggression. Then what should I do? What path is there?

Eh… To hell with it. It seems one particular valkyrie is already peeking at me reproachfully from under her eyelashes again. As if to say, I'm not sleeping myself, and I'm sighing here, waking her magnificent self up. Well, I won't argue; I'm definitely lucky with my "other half." But that doesn't make the pile of problems any smaller. Alright, I'll think it all over again after I sleep. After all, they say "morning is wiser than the evening," don't they?

The morning began with the now-familiar joint run and an intense warm-up with Lute in the fresh heavenly air, which smoothly transitioned into a slightly late but delicious breakfast.

And that's when a strange thought struck me. Why do we, angels, beings of Light, even engage in such physical training? Do our muscles need it? Maintaining combat skills, all sorts of sparring, that's understandable. But why all these warm-ups, stretches, strength exercises? Or maybe it's just easy for me because of my special nature? And ordinary angels really do need physical training? Eh, it's a pity I can't just take a couple of "holy souls" from the ranks of ordinary angels for experiments, to compare their physiology… Um…

Stop. Did I really just think that? About "taking for experiments" innocent souls in Heaven? Seriously? So… I now have serious questions for those "gods" from my past world and the life I led there! What kind of personality did that Tatsumi have?

Shaking my head sharply, chasing away unwelcome and frightening thoughts, I mentally teleported to Earth and stared at the panorama that opened up. A road completely jammed with yellow taxis and other cars. Skyscrapers reaching to the very sky. The noise and clamor of a huge metropolis. New York.

Why did I come to the most populous city in the USA? Oh, it's very simple: yes, I gave that first Asmodeus crystal to Sera for study. But who said I didn't need another one just like it? Or even several? To study it better myself, to try to create something similar from Light, and, of course, to have something to rub in Asmodeus's own nose when the time comes to ask him questions. I feel like some curious freshman student, honest to God. Only instead of textbooks – forbidden artifacts, and instead of lectures – interrogations.

I had been sitting on the roof of one of the skyscrapers in Midtown for about fifteen minutes. All this time, I had been continuously and imperceptibly to those around me filling the space with the thinnest web of Light – it was the only way I knew to "feel" energy signatures at a distance in this world. The only analogue of "sensory perception" available to me. I literally had to fill everything around with my energy to detect foreign bursts of Darkness. Such is the fate of us – poor, unfortunate angels without any chakra, reiatsu, or similar convenient crap.

In those fifteen minutes, I managed to "cover" a good half of Manhattan with my sensory network. Either I had really become super strong after all the assimilations and training, or it was easier to do this on Earth, where the balance of Light and Darkness was more neutral than in Hell. But the fact remained: a good half of my personal "reserve" was still free, at least that's how I felt.

Oh! Found one! A clear burst of concentrated Darkness. A creature of Hell, calmly walking down the street somewhere in the alleys of Harlem, near the edge of my sensitivity. Excellent! I jump off the roof…

And immediately realize I've made a bit of a dumb move. Some people below, it seems, did notice my lone figure atop this skyscraper. And, naturally, they thought I was some очередных psycho suicider, gathering courage before the final step… Yeah… Awkward.

I had to improvise. I quickly unfurl my golden wings, change my usual suit to Adam's old robe. A bright flash of light to distract attention – and instead of landing weightlessly on the asphalt and continuing on my way for interesting artifacts (and demons), I begin to theatrically hover above the ground, catching dozens of mobile phone camera flashes from below. I accelerate and sharply ascend, where in another bright flash of Light, I simply dissolve into the air. Let's just say I've fulfilled my duty to the crowd渴望ing spectacle and sensation. And now, already under disguise, I quickly head towards the source of Darkness I detected. More precisely, towards a demoness, judging by the aura.

In one of the dirty, trash-strewn alleys, I saw her. A rather pretty, vaguely familiar dark-skinned young woman with a shock of unusual reddish-brown hair tied in a ponytail. She was dressed in a provocatively revealing outfit – a short top, tight shorts. And some crossed-out tattoo on her forehead… She was just pushing dope to some hulking black guy of athletic build, simultaneously whispering offers of her other "services" into his ear… Disgusting.

A snap of my fingers – and the junkie guy finds himself atop the very skyscraper I just jumped from. Let him air out. No fucking business messing with drugs.

The demon girl (I no longer doubted it was her) whipped around at the sound of teleportation, her eyes widening in shock and recognition – after all, I looked like a full-fledged angel. And a predatory, satisfied smirk appeared on my face. I love being master of the situation…

"Goodbye!" the demoness squeaked and bolted around the corner, simultaneously trying to do something with her wristwatch. It seemed her Asmodeus crystal was hidden in it. What a pity that I had already altered the space around her, filling it with the concept of Purity. Let's just call this field "anti-magic," it's simpler, okay? Her artifact simply didn't work in this field.

Meanwhile, I materialized several flexible golden tentacles from Light (radio deer, thanks for the idea), which instantly wrapped around the girl, bound her, and pressed her against the shabby brick wall.

"Well hello, hellspawn," I said mockingly, approaching her and forcibly canceling her transformation. A second – and before me was no longer a dark-skinned beauty, but a short, angry female imp with red skin, small horns, and… a very familiar skull tattoo on her forehead! No way, it can't be! Blitz's sister? Barbie Wire? What a meeting!

"What the hell, angel? What do you want?" she shrieked, trying to break free from the light bonds.

"Oh, a mere trifle," I smirked. "And I don't need much. Firstly, explain what you're doing here? As far as I remember, demons are supposed to sit in Hell, not hustle drugs on the streets."

"What's it to you? Let me go, you bastard!" she snarled, baring her sharp little teeth.

"Impolite, Barbie, very impolite. And if I don't let go? What will you do to me?" I tightened the grip of the tentacles, making her hiss in pain.

"Alright, alright! Let go! I'll tell you everything!" she pleaded. "I… I'm on a mission! For Asmodeus! He hired me and a few other girls… to distribute drugs here. And not just that. So that… well… people sin more!"

"So that people sin more? Interesting. And what's in it for him? Can't make contracts directly, so he decided to act through debauchery and drugs?" I pondered. Did he decide to make contracts with humans because it's forbidden to do so with sinners? No, with humans too, of course, but it's not as noticeable here as right under Lucifer's nose. "Listen, why don't you bring a couple more of your 'colleagues' here. Those who also have these artifacts to get here. And I might let you go. Huh? How's that for a deal?"

She looked at me suspiciously.

"And you won't trick me?"

"Me? Trick a pathetic imp? Do you even know who I am?" I pull the exorcist mask onto my face, looking her straight in the eyes. "Say my name."

"...Adam?"

"You're God damn right. Now just bring your girlfriends, I'll take their crystals, and yours, well, I'll let you keep it for good behavior and cooperation. Angel's honor!" I tried to make my smile not look as sly as I wanted it to.

"And… and why do you need our crystals?"

"Let's just say, for study. But that shouldn't concern you."

She hesitated, but fear for her own skin, apparently, won out.

"Alright! I'll bring them! Just let me go!"

"Okie-dokie. And yes, while you're at it, tell me exactly why Asmodeus needed to send you here to sow discord? What's his ultimate goal?"

"I… I don't know! Honestly!" she babbled fearfully. "He just pays good money and gives us crystals! Says the more chaos and sin on Earth, the better… I don't know the details!"

"You're lying, aren't you," I slightly squeezed the tentacle on her throat. Unlikely she's lying, but it's worth checking.

"I'm not lying! Really! Please! I'll bring the others!"

"Alright, alright," I loosened my grip. "Go on, do it. You have five minutes."

And, to my immense surprise, this little brat actually fulfilled her part of the deal! Five minutes later, she brought three more demonesses to the same alley – two succubi and another imp female – who also looked bewildered and frightened. It seems Barbie hadn't warned them about me, heh.

"There! They're here!" Barbie said nervously.

"Ladies, hand over Asmodeus's crystals," I held out my hand.

Under my intense gaze and the threat of the light tentacles, the demonesses reluctantly removed their Asmodeus crystals (after trying to escape with their help). One had it in the form of an anal plug (hmm…), the second – as an elegant bracelet, the third – the same kind of ring Verosika had. I took all three.

"Excellent. And now… get out of here!" I opened a portal behind their backs, leading not back to the Lust ring, but somewhere into the wilds of the Wrath ring, where the most savage hellbeasts dwelled. "And say hello to the local fauna for me!"

The demonesses disappeared into the portal with shrieks of terror.

"And me? Can I go?" Blitz's sister asked a bit nervously, looking at me with hidden hope. What a strange name she has…

God, why are demons here like this? Cowards, ready to betray each other for the slightest chance to save their own skin? This is fucking surreal.

By the way, you've probably wondered: why the hell did I just trust this demoness and let her bring her friends, and then let her go? Oh, it's simple. I didn't trust her for a second. Moreover, I'm still shocked that she actually fulfilled the agreement and brought me "victims." Then why did I let her go so easily? Well, I'm no fool. While she was running for backup, I discreetly attached a small energy "beacon" of Light to her – my new invention (there was information about it in the grimoire; it seems that's exactly how Stolas tracked his precious book). Which will give me her exact location whenever I wish. Yes, I was just testing my invention on a living subject, that's all…

"Of course, of course, Barbie, you can go," I smiled sweetly at her. "But I advise you to find a job in Hell where you'll never have to meet me again. Comprende?"

"U-understood…" Swallowing hard, she hastily waved her hand, opened her portal, and disappeared.

I'm surprisingly noble today towards all these hellspawn. Letting them go left and right. On the other hand… maybe it's because I just can't perceive these modern humans on Earth as real people? They're really just some brainless bots, animals, driven only by base instincts. PEOPLE can't be like this! My children couldn't have become like this…

Alright. I toss the new crystals into my pocket dimension; I'll deal with them later. And now I need to set up a proper base for research and experiments. I can't just hang out in the dusty basement of the ruined Loo Loo Land all the time, can I? I need something more reliable, secure, and hidden from everyone.

Actually, even before that conversation with the Seraphim, I had thought about creating my own personal sanctuary. A place that has everything I need – a laboratory, a bedroom, a recreation area, a training hall – and where no one will ever find me without my invitation.

I open a portal and find myself once again in my personal cosmos.

A magnificent sight, even if a bit fake for now. I've already tried flying to the local "planets" – it turned out they were just huge chunks of rock or clumps of energy, hollow inside, without any traces of real geology or life. And to make even one such planet truly "habitable" for something, to fill it with matter, create an atmosphere, a core – I'd have to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of my full energy reserves. I'm afraid to even imagine how much effort and time the Seraphim toiled over the creation of Earth and the surrounding cosmos.

But I don't need to "materialize" an entire planet. At least, not yet. But creating a small, yet well-equipped orbital station-laboratory within this space is quite within my power. Let's get to it.

I concentrate, choose a point in space, and begin to create. First – the outer hull of metal, shaping it into a perfect sphere capable of withstanding any external impacts. Then – internal bulkheads, decks, rooms: a living quarter, a laboratory, a library with empty shelves, an armory (don't know why yet, but why not), a medbay, even a small hangar for future transport vehicles. Then – life support systems, lighting, ventilation, purification, power supply (drawing energy from the very surrounding space of my world). I fill the laboratory with various equipment I'd seen in earthly movies or Adam's memory. Analyzers, synthesizers, microscopes, operating tables, stasis chambers… Everything that might be needed for my future research.

And finally, my pride. I concentrate the remnants of my reserve in the very heart of the "laboratory" – on the captain's bridge (I plan to make this thing flyable). I materialize Light, infusing it with the magical symbol for energy accumulators, after which I transform part of the Light into the concept of cosmos – vast and ever-expanding. This will help the accumulator store much more energy than if it were on pure Light.

Phew. Several hours of continuous concentration and work – and my personal "Death Star" in miniature is ready. Excellent job! Now I can rest a bit. Well, the next goal for today is to catch a batch of sinners in Pentagram City. After which I can finally begin attempts at their "forcible redemption." True… I shouldn't do this in my current Adam persona, should I? They'll recognize me immediately, panic will ensue, Lucifer will come running… No. I need a new image. But what kind? Hmm…